"The Future of Political Islam"

Selasa, 28 Oktober 20080
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September 11; vitriolic rhetoric against the United States byprominent Muslims; the war against terrorism shifts from Afghanistanto the Philippines and Indonesia. It is easy to believe Islam andMuslims are enemies of the West; it is also wrong. This sweepingsurvey of trends in the Muslim world contends that the issue is notwhether Islam plays a central role in politics, but what Muslims want.To focus on radicalism and extremism blinds us from another trend:liberal political Islam.Proponents of liberal political Islam emphasize human rights anddemocracy, tolerance and cooperation. They face an uphill struggle asauthoritarian regimes oppress opposition and use Islam to justifytheir undemocratic rule. As people are denied avenues to participateand criticize, as secular ideologies have failed, religion has come toplay a central role in politics. The outcome of the struggle betweenextremists and liberals will determine the future of political Islam.